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Thyroid surgical treatment includes: reception of professor, endocrinologist, leading specialist in the field of conservative and surgical treatment of thyroid diseases.
Surgical treatment of the thyroid gland is called a thyroidectomy. It involves removing all or part of the thyroid gland, which is butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your lower neck, just below your Adam’s apple.
There are several reasons why a thyroidectomy might be necessary. The most common reasons include:
- Thyroid cancer: This is the most common reason for thyroidectomy. Most thyroid cancers are treatable, and surgery is often the first line of treatment.
- Thyroid nodules: These are lumps that form in the thyroid gland. Most thyroid nodules are benign (not cancerous), but some may be cancerous. If a fine-needle aspiration biopsy shows that a nodule is cancerous, surgery will likely be recommended to remove it.
- Graves’ disease: This is an autoimmune disease that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). Surgery may be an option if other treatments, such as radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications, are not effective.
- Hashimoto’s disease: This is an autoimmune disease that causes the thyroid gland to produce too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). Surgery is usually not necessary for Hashimoto’s disease, but it may be an option if the thyroid gland is very large or causing other problems.
There are two main types of thyroidectomy:
- Total thyroidectomy: This involves removing the entire thyroid gland.
- Partial thyroidectomy: This involves removing one lobe (side) of the thyroid gland, or a portion of the gland.
The type of thyroidectomy you will need will depend on the reason for your surgery. Here’s a brief overview of the surgical procedure:
- The surgeon will make an incision in the lower part of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple.
- The surgeon will carefully dissect the thyroid gland from the surrounding tissues.
- The surgeon will remove the thyroid gland, or the part of the thyroid gland that needs to be removed.
- The surgeon will then close the incision with stitches or staples.
Total Thyroidectomy: A Closer Look
A total thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the entire thyroid gland. It’s most commonly performed to treat thyroid cancer, but there are other reasons why it might be recommended by your doctor. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Why it’s Performed:
Thyroid Cancer: This is the most common reason for a total thyroidectomy. Early detection and removal of the entire gland is often the primary treatment for most thyroid cancers.
Uncontrollable Hyperthyroidism: If medications or radioactive iodine ablation (treatment with radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid tissue) haven’t effectively controlled an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), surgery may be necessary.
Large Goiter: A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland. If the goiter is very large and causing difficulty swallowing or breathing, or if it’s producing too much or too little thyroid hormone, a total thyroidectomy might be recommended.
The Surgical Procedure:
- General Anesthesia: You’ll be asleep and pain-free during the surgery.
- Incision: The surgeon will make a small incision, typically low on your neck, just below your Adam’s apple.
- Careful Dissection: The surgeon will carefully separate the thyroid gland from the surrounding tissues, including the parathyroid glands (which regulate calcium levels) and the recurrent laryngeal nerves (responsible for your voice).
- Thyroid Removal: Once isolated, the entire thyroid gland will be removed.
- Closure: The incision will then be closed with stitches or staples.
Recovery:
- Hospital Stay: typically stay in the hospital for 1-2 days following surgery.
- Post-Operative Care: likely experience some soreness and discomfort around your incision. Pain medication can help manage this. Your doctor will provide specific instructions on wound care, activity restrictions, and dietary recommendations.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy: Since your thyroid gland is no longer present, you’ll need to take lifelong hormone replacement medication (levothyroxine) to maintain normal thyroid hormone levels.
Partial Thyroidectomy: A Less Extensive Option
A partial thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that removes only part of the thyroid gland, unlike a total thyroidectomy which removes the entire gland. This less extensive surgery might be a suitable option for several reasons:
Why it’s Performed:
- Thyroid Nodules: If you have a single thyroid nodule that’s suspicious for cancer or causing symptoms like difficulty swallowing or breathing, a partial thyroidectomy can remove the affected lobe (side) of the gland.
- Large Goiter: For a goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) that’s causing problems but isn’t cancerous, a partial thyroidectomy may be performed to remove a portion of the gland and reduce its size.
- Graves’ Disease (Mild Cases): In some less severe cases of Graves’ disease (an autoimmune disorder causing an overactive thyroid), a partial thyroidectomy might be an option to remove enough thyroid tissue to control hormone production.
The Surgical Procedure:
A partial thyroidectomy shares many similarities with a total thyroidectomy:
- General Anesthesia: You’ll be unconscious and pain-free during the surgery.
- Incision: The surgeon will make a similar incision, typically low on your neck, just below your Adam’s apple.
- Careful Dissection: Similar to a total thyroidectomy, the surgeon will meticulously separate the thyroid from surrounding tissues, including the parathyroid glands and recurrent laryngeal nerves.
- Partial Removal: Instead of removing the entire gland, only the affected lobe or a portion of the thyroid will be removed.
- Closure: The incision will then be closed with stitches or staples.
Recovery:
- Hospital Stay:** The typical hospital stay following a partial thyroidectomy is 1-2 days.
- Post-Operative Care:** Recovery is generally similar to a total thyroidectomy, with soreness or discomfort around the incision. Pain medication can help manage this. Your doctor will provide specific instructions on wound care, activity restrictions, and dietary recommendations.
- Hormone Replacement Therapy: Depending on the amount of thyroid tissue removed, you may or may not need hormone replacement therapy. Your doctor will monitor your thyroid hormone levels and prescribe medication if necessary.
Check Up before operation included:
Laboratory examinations.
General urinalysis.
Advanced blood examination on :
— reactive protein,
— blood urea,
— blood creatinine,
— blood glucose,
— cholesterol,
— triglycerides,
— HDL cholesterol,
— LDL cholesterol,
— AST transaminase,
— ALT transaminase,
— tumor markers,
— coagulation indexes
FT3 free.
Free thyroxine (FT4).
Thyroid hormone (TSH).
Calcitonin.
Ultrasound of the thyroid gland and lymph nodes of the neck.
CT and MRI examination of the neck.
Thyroid scintigraphy.
Fine-needle puncture cytobiopsy.
Preparation directly for surgery according to the preoperative standard.
Operation.
Microbiologic and histologic examination.
Carrying out postoperative symptomatic treatment.
Further Recommendations.
Costs
USA: A total thyroidectomy in the USA can range from $30,000 to $100,000 USD or even higher. A partial thyroidectomy might be slightly less expensive, falling between $20,000 and $70,000 USD.
Germany: In Germany, with its universal healthcare system, you’d likely pay a much smaller portion upfront. Estimates suggest a total thyroidectomy could cost around €10,000 to €20,000 EUR (roughly $11,000 to $22,000 USD), with a partial thyroidectomy potentially costing €8,000 to €15,000 EUR ($8,800 to $16,500 USD).
Considering thyroid surgery in Germany offers several advantages for American patients. Here’s why our clinic might be the ideal choice for you:
Cost Savings:
- Significant Cost Reduction: German healthcare costs are typically lower than in the USA. You could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars on your total thyroidectomy procedure.
Advanced Technology and Expertise:
- Modern Facilities: Our clinic utilizes the latest surgical technologies and equipment for thyroid surgery.
- Experienced Surgeons: Our team comprises highly qualified and experienced surgeons specializing in thyroid procedures.
- High Success Rates: German clinics often boast high success rates with minimal complication risks.
Efficiency and Streamlined Process:
- Reduced Wait Times: You may experience shorter wait times for both consultations and surgery compared to the USA healthcare system.
- Efficient System: German healthcare is known for its efficient processes, minimizing unnecessary delays.
Additional Patient-Centric Advantages:
- High-Quality Care: German healthcare maintains a reputation for excellence and prioritizes patient well-being.
- Potential for Multi-Lingual Support: While German is the primary language, some clinics may have English-speaking staff or offer interpreter assistance.
- Unique Travel Opportunity: Combine your medical procedure with a cultural experience in beautiful Germany